Seplat Energy PLC confirmed the suspension of industrial action by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) across its facilities in Port Harcourt, Abuja, Lagos, Eket, QIT, and offshore assets. The industrial action, initiated over unresolved welfare issues and stalled negotiations on the 2026 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), was suspended following what both parties described as constructive engagements. In a statement issued Sunday, April 5, Seplat said operations were resuming at all locations and credited the progress to collaborative efforts with PENGASSAN and stakeholders, including the Executive Vice President, Business Services, NNPC Ltd. The company stated it remains confident of a satisfactory resolution in line with established processes.
PENGASSAN, in a letter to members, confirmed that Seplat Management provided written commitments addressing union demands. The union noted that negotiations will continue with the goal of finalising and signing the 2026 CBA within days. Both the SEPNU Branch and Contract Branch executive committees directed members to return to work immediately. The resolution is expected to cover all outstanding welfare matters by April 13, 2026, as advised by the NNPC Ltd executive.
The swift suspension of the strike suggests PENGASSAN's leverage was matched by Seplat's willingness to negotiate under pressure. With Seplat accounting for up to 9 per cent of Nigeria's total liquids production, any prolonged shutdown would have directly impacted national output. The involvement of NNPC Ltd's Executive Vice President signals high-level intervention to prevent economic ripple effects. For Nigerian workers, this underscores how union actions in strategic sectors can force timely corporate engagement.
